Shadow water minister Chris Minns to run for Labor leadership

SHADOW water minister Chris Minns has confirmed he will run for the Labor leadership on Saturday.

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SHADOW water minister Chris Minns has confirmed he will run for the Labor leadership on Saturday, pitching his tilt for the top job on a plan to put families at the centre of all policy decisions.

The Kogarah MP said this afternoon that he will run on a platform of “bold policy change for the people of this state”.

He also called for Luke Foley to quit his seat and leave parliament saying that was the best thing for the disgraced former leader’s wife and children.

Former Labor leader Luke Foley with shadow water minister Chris Minns. Picture: Toby Zerna

Mr Minns outlined that if he was elected leader he would focus on overhauling planning laws, dumping lock out laws and readying the NSW economy for a downturn in housing market.

“I didn’t expect that this day would come but it has. Circumstances have meant that it has come,” he said.

“Whoever is elected Labor party leader faces a near imsummountabel task. They need to unite the party, present a bold policy platform for the people of this state and convince the voters of this state to kick out the government and elect us in their stead. Now that is a near impossible task and the only shot the Labor party has, in my opinion, is to present a bold, positive and optimistic plan for NSW and get people excited for change.”

The married 39-year-old, who has two sons, said young families in NSW would be at the centre of all policy decisions.

If he was leader, Mr Minns said he would push to dump planning laws that are “destroying” “the most beautiful city on earth”.

Chris Minns (second from left) with former NSW Labor Leader Luke Foley (L) and Federal Labor leader Bill Shorten (C). Picture: Toby Zerna

“We don’t have to accept a concrete jungle, limited open space and next to no public transport,” he said

He said immigration was not the problem behind congestion and overdevelopment issues in suburbs but rather it was the result of the government’s poor planning.

Mr Minns he would also push to dump the controversial lock out laws if he becomes leader.

“They’re zapping the energy and fun from Sydney,” he said.

“I am convinced we can keep sydneysiders safe while at the same time treating them like adults.”

Reversing lock out laws is not current Labor party policy with previous leader Luke Foley saying the party had no plans to overturn them.

“When there are leadership vacancies it is a chance to talk about policy... I need to be specific about where Labor will go and where we will take policy.”

Chris Minns at the 2011 Labor conference

Another pitch to secure his colleagues support was that he wants to prepare the state’s economy for a downturn in the housing market.

Mr Minns said he didn’t think it would “damage” the party to have another person stand for the leadership role against Michael Daley when caucus meets on Saturday afternoon.

“I think I could do a better job than him... competition in the party is good.”

Mr Minns, who has only been in NSW parliament since March 2015, said a “fresh start” was worth more than extensive political experience.

“I’m convinced the voters want change... and my appeal to them is that it’s more important to have good ideas, ideas that can be implemented and the energy to get it done than parliamentary experience.”

He said the government lost its way when former Premier Mike Baird “hit the road”.

“I’d say this question to the voters of NSW - if Gladys Berejiklian is reelected does anyone truly believe that their best days are ahead of them? My contention is absolutely not - better to sack them now and put in new management.”

Chris Minns has challenged the Labor leadership

The former Hurstville City councillor said Penny Sharpe is currently the only candidate for deputy Labor leader and he does not expect to have the support of Labor head office, including general secretary Kaila Murnain.

“Almost certainly I don’t. However I think the people of NSW would expect their parliamentarians to make the decision independent of external groups.”

Mr Minns said Luke Foley should resign his seat of Auburn and leave parliament entirely.

“The sooner he does it the better. That’s in the best interests of his wife and kids,” he said.

He faces a tough battle to get elected over Mr Daley who at this stage appears to have majority support.

“If he’s elected Labor party leader i think he will do a really good job. Ultimately if I’m putting myself forward I think I can do a better job than him or anybody else. I’d hoped other people would put their names forward.”

Of Ashleigh Raper’s statement yesterday, Mr Minns said he believed her account of the incident with Mr Foley and said it was “courageous” and “compelling” for her to release the details.

“It was one of the bravest things I’ve seen in NSW politics,” he said.

“I had absolutely no idea that the accusations were that serious. I had no idea -- Mr Foley at all times rejected (the accusation) and suggested to me that it was not true. It’s an extremely sad situation.”